Life in Occupied Palestine

By Jim Carey

Occupy San Miguel continues our series on the Israeli Palestinian crisis. Many perceive Israel as one of the most educated, successful democratic/capitalist societies in the world. US taxpayers pour billions of dollars annually into Israel to support that state. Sadly, even with their vast nuclear arsenal and the most sophisticated army in the middle east, peace is not how we would describe the past 60 years. To quote Fareed Zakaria, “Wise Israeli politicians, from Ariel Sharon to Ehud Olmert to Ehud Barak, have wanted to take risks to make that peace because they have worried about Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state. This is what is in danger, not Israel’s existence.”

Previously, we spent three sessions on Gaza and the war that erupts there on a regular basis. On Monday, we will show Life in Occupied Palestine, a film by an American Jewish woman who has spent time in the occupied territory of the West Bank. In the film, she gives a brief history of Israel’s development, from its inception as a country in 1948 through 1967 up to 2006.

She explains the restricted movements, checkpoints, and roadblocks that the Palestinians live with daily. Anna gives us an understanding of both the Israeli settlements and the outposts that are taking over the West Bank. We see how and where the wall is built. She questions whether this security fence that creates segregation and separation is the way to peace. She talks about the Israeli activists and the non­violent actions that take place throughout Palestine. Finally, she defines what it means to be Jewish, Israeli, and Zionist.

For those who have never been to Israel or Palestine, this is an enlightening film. As citizens of the world and as US taxpayers, we learn a lot that is kept hidden by the media. This documentary is often discussed as the one that Israel and the United States do not want you to see.

After the film, many are left with the belief that the settlements definitely seem to be in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention Article 49, which states that international law prohibits an occupying power from transferring citizens from its own territory to the occupied territory. These are a few of the questions that we will talk about. Join in our discussion. All our events are free. On Monday, July 6, 1pm in the TV room of the Quinta Loreto Hotel, Loreto 15, Centro.